Policies and Procedures

Every person over five years of age and under 21 years of age is entitled to attend public school maintained in the District where such person resides.

Once a person becomes enrolled at Unadilla Valley Central School, the school becomes responsible for meeting all attendance regulations as mandated at the local and state level under New York State Education guidelines.

These policies are outlined as follows:

1. A student after each absence or tardiness, shall bring in an excuse signed by the parent or guardian, stating the specific reason for the absence within three days. The absences are then coded to maintain an accurate record of the type of absence. In cases involving medical appointments, the name of the person with whom the appointment is scheduled should  be on the excuse, as well as the time of the appointment.

2. The following reasons for student absences are recognized as valid and excused by the Board of Education.
   A. Sickness
   B. Sickness or death in the family
   C. Impassable roads
   D. Religious observance
   E. Sickness requiring attendance at a medical clinic
   F. Quarantine
   G. Required court appearance
   H. College visits/interviews when approved in advance.

Any other absences is considered illegal. Any questions of legality of excuses will be at the discretion of the building principal, regardless whether or not a student has a parent’s permission. The student is considered truant if they are not in school and do not have a valid excuse as stated above.

To report an absence, please call Mrs. Hodge at (607) 847-7500, ext. 1134 and leave a message. A written excuse from parents/guardians is required when a student returns to school after an absence. The excuse note must be turned in to the Elementary School or Secondary School main office the day the student returns to school.

Unadilla Valley Central School District believes that all students deserve and have the right to be educated in a safe, nurturing, and supportive school environment that accepts them for who they are. For more on DASA, including our DASA reporting form, please see our DASA page.

Pursuant to Education Law Section 2-d, school district’s are now required to publish, on their websites, a parents bill of rights for data privacy and security and to include such information with every contract a school district enters into with a third party contractor where the third party contractor receives student data or teacher or principal data. This information and other resources may be found on our Data Security and Privacy page.

Please see this link for information on filing complaints regarding ESSA-funded and special education programs.

Please see this attachment for our Parent and Family Engagement Policy.

Please see the following document for the district's Shared Device Agreement.

Section 7000 - Students

Policy # 7710

PROHIBITION ON INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICE USE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

 1.  Purpose

This policy, adopted by the Unadilla Valley Central School District Board of Education, establishes a District-wide prohibition on student use of internet-enabled devices during the school day, in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

2.  Definitions 

Internet-Enabled Devices shall mean any device capable of connecting to the internet and enabling the user to access content on the internet, including but not limited to social media applications.  Such devices shall include, but not be limited to, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, and other portable electronic communication or computing devices.  Internet-enabled devices supplied by the School District that are used for an educational purpose are not included in this definition.

School Day shall mean the entirety of every instructional day, including during instructional and non-instructional time, including but not limited to homeroom periods, lunch, recess, study hall and passing time.

School Grounds shall mean in or on or within any building, structure, athletic playing field, playground, or land contained within the real property boundary line of the District.

3.  Prohibited Use

Students are prohibited from using internet-enabled devices on school grounds during the school day, except as expressly permitted under the exceptions outlined in this policy.

4.  Exceptions

Student use of an internet-enabled device during the school day on school grounds may be authorized in the following limited circumstances: 

a.   Educational Use: If authorized by a teacher, principal, or the District for a specific educational purpose.

b.  Health & Safety: Where necessary for managing a student’s healthcare, or in the event of an emergency.

c.   Language Needs: When needed by a student for translation services.

d.  Student Caregivers: On a case-by-case basis for a student caregiver who is routinely responsible for the care and well-being of a family member.  Such use will be permitted only upon review and determination by a school psychologist, school social worker, or school counselor.

e.   Legal Requirements: When the use of such devices is required by law.

Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit or otherwise limit a student’s use of an internet-enabled device where such use is included in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan.

5.  Communication and Contact 

The District shall provide at least one method for parents or persons in parental relation to a student to contact the student during the school day.  The contact methods provided will include, but not be limited to the following: a dedicated phone line in the main office.  Written notification detailing how parents or persons in parental relation to a student may contact students during the school day shall be provided to parents or persons in parental relation to a student at the beginning of each school year and upon enrollment.

6.  Storage of Devices

The District shall provide at least one method for students to store internet-enabled devices on-site during the school day.  Storage options will include, but are not limited to, pouches or lockers, depending on grade level. The District reserves the right to provide additional or alternative storage methods for student devices.

7.  Discipline and Enforcement

Students who violate this policy may be subject to disciplinary penalties pursuant to the District’s Code of Conduct and subject to applicable law and regulations.  Progressive discipline or restorative practices may be used in cases of repeated violations, consistent with the Code. 

8.  Accessibility and Language Access

This policy shall be clearly posted and accessible on the District’s website.  Upon request by a student, parent, or person in parental relation to a student, a translation of this policy into any of the twelve most common non-English languages spoken by limited-English proficient individuals in New York State shall be provided.

9.  Regulations

The Board authorizes and directs the Superintendent of Schools to establish regulations implementing this policy.

Please see this link for the Remote Instruction Plan

Please see this link for the 2025-26 District-wide Safety Plan